Simple Joys of the Week, August 19th Edition

In case it isn't obvious: nope, no baby yet. But that's okay! Because as excited as we are to meet our little one, Ben and I have enjoyed a lovely, slower-than-usual week together (more on that below) and we've definitely been "getting our sleep now," as so many recommend ;) 

How was your week? Can you take some time to reflect on your favorite simple, sensory joys of the week today? Mine are below...

HEAR: "Ocean Waves (Alpha Relaxation Solution)" by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson
This is not a song, but rather, a 1hr relaxation soundtrack/white noise track that I've been listening to every night when I go to bed throughout my pregnancy. It was recommended to me by my Hypnobirthing Coach, and the idea is to listen to as you fall asleep and then again when you're in the early stages of labor and want to try and relax and/or get some rest. I love having this little ritual, and have been extra-appreciative of it this week, as we get closer to labor + delivery (whenever that happens).

SEE: A beautiful wedding reception (especially the dessert table pictured above!)
We went to Ben's cousin's GORGEOUS wedding reception on the beach last weekend, and it was simply breathtaking. I adore weddings and this one was the perfect combination of simple, glamorous, classy, and beachy. It was so fun and Cape Cod-y! And will you look at the dessert table! No one could get enough of it...

TASTE: Polar Seltzer IN A CAN
Yes, I have a Soda Stream and can (and do) make my own seltzer, but in this last trimester, I've decided that since it's SO hot out and I can't drink any adult beverages, my way of treating myself is by keeping our fridge stocked with seltzers in a can. There's something about popping the top on a cold can of a refreshing bevvie that just makes me feel more relaxed, so this has become my g0-to. Ben has jumped on the seltzer bandwagon, too (he calls them "spritzers," haha!), so the number of seltzers we're going through in a week is getting kind of ridiculous, but what can I say? Pregnant girls gotta drink.

SMELL: Sunset walk on the beach with my honey + relaxing evenings at home
While it has been weird not teaching yoga this week, it has been simply amazing spending the evenings with Ben. We've been treating every night like a "date night" and thus, have enjoyed quite a bit of quality time together, which has been very special. Last night we went out to dinner, then went to the beach for a sunset walk + chat while sitting in the lifeguard stand, and then got ice cream on the way home. The whole evening was a sensory indulgence, but I decided to stick it here because the smell of the ocean is just the best (!).  

TOUCH: Barre class and then mani/pedi on my "first due date"
If you listened to this week's bonus podcast episode, you'll know about our "due date confusion" and thus, why we've been talking more about "due week" in our house than "due date." But, the short version of the story is that we're operating with two due dates because of our own confusion about the official date after being given two due dates at the beginning of my pregnancy--the 17th and the 20th.

When my "first due date" rolled around on Wednesday--this is the one that we thought was my due date for almost the entire pregnancy--I decided to celebrate by going to a Barre class in the morning and then treating myself to a manicure + pedicure in the afternoon. I *never* get manicures because I always ruin them about an hour after getting them and I can't handle it, but I got one this week and it felt quite indulgent ;) It was so fun to celebrate the day we had been counting down to (for so long) in this way and I can't wait to celebrate another due date tomorrow, haha!

So there you go...#SJOTW for my due week. Hopefully next week will hold the most joyful experience of all--meeting our baby girl! Fingers crossed :) 

Have a *wonderful* weekend full of simple pleasures! We're hoping to enjoy a final relaxation-filled beach weekend, and it looks like it's going to be a perfect one (weather-wise).